Ladies of the Grand Army of the RepublicLynne BuryNational President 1986 / 1987

Gordon R. Bury II was elected Commander-in-Chief at the 105th National Encampment of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), August 10 - 13, 1986 in Lexington, Kentucky. Commander-in-Chief Bury is a 13th generation descendant of the Rev. John Wing, whose son, Daniel, settled in 1632 in Boston, Massachusetts. Daniel's descendant, Captain Thomas Wing, fought In the Connecticut Militia during the Revolution and married Phoebe Tyler Ward, whose mother was of President Tyler's family and the family of Artemus Ward, which included Henry Ward Beecher, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Julia Ward Howe. He is also a cousin to Past National President Agnes Brooks of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Brother Bury is also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and derives lateral descent from Major David H. Brooks, who was the regimental surgeon of the 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry out of Cleveland, Ohio. He reorganized Given Camp #51 of Wooster, Ohio in 1974, and served as Ohio Department Commander in 1975-76.

Brother Bury has served as National SUVCW Patriotic Instructor, Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief, Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief, and General Chairman of the 1984 National Encampment in Akron, Ohio.

After 100 conventions, the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic have another first. The National President of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War are husband and wife. This has happened several times with the SUVCW and its Auxiliary but is the first for the Ladies. Lynne again served as National President from in 2003 to 2005. In addition to their service to their respective organizations, both Lynne and Rick are both active in Civil War reenactments.